Holder for spray cans and the like



April 14, 1970 A. MULLER HOLDER FOR SPRAY CANS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 28, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 75 Fig. 2

INVENTOR ARTkuR MuLLaa April 14, 1970 A. MULLER 3,506,159

. HOLDER FOR SPRAY CANS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 28, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 \\\\Y\ \\\\\\\X\\\\\\ \v' INVENTOR Aarhua M eR BY L @w muw.

(flisww o United States Patent 3,506,159 HOLDER FOR SPRAY CANS AND THE LIKE Arthur Miiller, Sonnholde 4, Birmeusdorf, Switzerland Filed Feb. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 619,248 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Mar. 7, 1966, 3,216/ 66 Int. Cl. B6511 83/14 US. Cl. 222-135 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A holder or handle for spray cans and the like of the type incorporating a handgrip and an actuation lever which is movable with regard to the handgrip. The handgrip is capable of being detachably connected to the upper collar or neck head portion of the spray can and the actuation lever is designed to bear upon the plunger or push button of the spray can. According to the invention, there is provided at least one hood member having a lower edge or marginal portion which can be clampingly secured to the collar or annular neck bead of the spray can. This hood member has an opening for the efilux of the spraying jet, and furthermore, such hood member cannot be moved relative to the handgrip, and the opening of the hood member is disposed at the side opposite the handgrip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention broadly relates to Aerosol or spray cans and, more specifically, pertains to an improved detachable holder for spray cans which is of the type incorporating a handle or handgrip and an actuation lever which is movable relative to such handgrip. Further, the handle or handgrip is destined to be detachably secured to an upper, recessed collar or neck portion of at least one spray can and the actuation lever serves to bear upon the plunger or push button of the spray can.

Now, in order to secure prior art holders to a spray can or the like a portion of the metallic handle or handgrip is constructed to be elastically deformable. This deformable portion is provided for this purpose in the form of clamp means, hair pin spring means or as annular bead means. The elastic deformable clamp means as well as the hair pin spring means and the annular bead means engage about the collar or neck portion of the spray can and fixedly clamp the holder. If one of the known holders is secured to a spray can then the contents of the can can be sprayed towards the outside independently of the position of the spray nozzle of the plunger with respect to the handgrip or handle of the holder. However, the proper position of the spray nozzle should be directed such that the spray jet comes out towards the front, in other words away from the operator of the spray can. If the holder is not turned in the proper position with respect to the spray nozle, then the spray jet can emanate in another direction and, for instance, impinge upon the operator of the spray can. This can be extremely dangerous when working with some spray substances. Moreover, even a holder which originally was properly turned into the correct position with regard to the spray nozzle can be inadvertently turned somewhat out of the proper position during handling or when placing the spray can into a closet, so that the subsequent use of such spray can can once again be quite dangerous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved holder of the type described which overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above of the prior art structures.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to an improved holder capable of being detachably mounted at a spray can or the like and wherein the holder is constructed such that there is insured for safe use of the spray can.

Still, a further significant object of this invention relates to an improved holder capable of being detachably mounted at a spray can or the like and which incorporates means insuring that the spray jet can only be displaced externally of the holder if the latter is properly positioned at the spray can, and specifically, in a manner wherein the spray jet moves into the surrounding atmosphere in a direction away from the user.

A further important object of the present invention relates to an improved holder capable of being detachably mounted at a spray can and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, quite easy to assemble at the spray can, extremely easy to use, and definitely insures for proper operation of the spray can in a safe way, specifically preventing any discharge of the contents of the can into the surrounding atmosphere in the event that the spray nozzle is directed towards the user.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive holder is generally manifested by features of at least one hood member which is capable of being handled and wherein such hood member is provided with an opening in the jacket or wall thereof. The lower edge or marginal portion of this hood member is designed to be clampingly secured to the collar or neck portion of the spray can and the opening in the jacket of such hood member serves for the throughpassage of the spray jet. Furthermore, this hood member cannot be moved relative to the handgrip or handle, and the opening of such hood member is disposed at the side thereof which is facing away from such handgrip.

Since in the inventive holder a hood member is located over the tubular plunger or push button of the spray nozzle, it is only possible for the spray jet to efilux freely towards the outside in an exactly predetermined direc:

tion. This predetermined direction is delimited by the opening in the jacket or wall of the hood member. Furthermore, since the hood member cannot be moved relative to the handgrip and since the opening of the hood member is located at the side thereof facing away from the handgrip, it is impossible for a spray jet emanating from the spray nozzle to ever reach the operator of the device. However, should the hood member be turned relative to the nozzle, in other words, faces in an improper direction, then the spray jet emanating from the nozzle of the plunger cannot, under any circumstances whatsoever, freely discharge into the surrounding atmosphere. On the contrary, such spray jet will then impinge upon the inner wall of the hood member. Consequently, it is only possible to spray the contents of the spray can. towards the outside in a direction which is away from the operator of the spray can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings showing three different exemplary embodiments of the inventive holder, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of inventive holder, in cross-sectional view, mounted to a spray can or the like;

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the holder depicted in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of an inner hood 3 member of the holder depicted in FIGURES l and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front view of a further embodiment of holder which is used for operating two spray cans or the like;

FIGURE is a top plan view of the holder of FIG- URE 4 as such is shown in operable association with two spray cans;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of holder;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the holder shown in FIGURE 6, with the cover member thereof removed in order to reveal internal structure; and

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the holder shown in FIGURE 7, taken along the line VIII-VIII thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, it is to be understood that the various spray cans l, 2 and 3 or the like which are suitable for use in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of inventive holder device as shown in FIGURES l, 4 and 6, possess a standard upper collar or neck portion 4. As best shown in FIGURE 1, a recess or depression 5 is provided within the recessed collar or neck portion 4. Such type standard spray cans l, 2 and 3 hardly vary from one another, at least as concerns their upper portion.

Turning attention now to the embodiment of holder device depicted in FIGURES l and 2, it will be seen that such comprises an inner hood member 6 and an outer hood member 7. The outer hood member 7 and a handle or handgrip 8 are formed of a single piece of plastic material. These two hood members 6 and 7 are interfitted and disposed substantially coaxially with respect to one another. Between both of these hood members 6 and 7 which are radially spaced from one another there is formed a substantially ring-shaped, radial compartment or chamber .9, as best seen by referring to FIGURE 1. Inner hood member 6 is fixedly retained within the outer hood member 7, for instance by being adhesively bonded thereto.

Moreover, this inner hood member 6 possesses a discharge opening 10 for the spray jet of the contents of the associated spray can 1, and further, an opening 11 which is situated approximately diametrically opposite the discharge opening 10. Opening 11 serves for the throughpassage of an actuation lever means 17. The size of the discharge opening 10 is chosen such that there is provided an opening or aperture angle of 50 to 80 for the spray jet and which extends from the nozzle 20 of the depressable plunger or push button 19 of the spray can 1. Further, as clearly shown in FIGURE 3, a number of slits 12 extend from the lower edge or marginal portion 6a of the inner hood member 6 and into the side wall means 6b forming the jacket of such inner hood member. FIGURE 3 also discloses that in the region of the marginal portion 6a of the inner hood member 6 there are provided a substantially ring-shaped recess 13 and an annular bead 14.

Also, as best evident by referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the outer hood member 7 is provided with an opening or recess 15 for the spray jet emanating from the spray can 1. A further opening or recess 16 provided at the outer hood member 7 serves for the throughpassage of the actaution lever means 17. The latter is mounted at a pivot pin 18 so as to be pivotable relative to the handle or handgrip 8.

Now, in order to detachably mount the holder device of FIGURES 1 and 2 upon the spray can 1, this holder device is axially pressed from above onto the spray can 1. In so doing, the inner hood member 6 can elastically deform somewhat owing to the slots or slits 12 and snaps into the recess 5 of the spray can 1 behind the collar or neck portion 4. On the other hand, the outer .4 hood member 7 is also simultaneously elastically widened somewhat and engages over this collar or neck portion 4 of the spray can 1 (FIGURE 1). The upper recessed neck portion 4 of the spray can 1 is thus fixedly clamped tween both of the hood members 6 and 7. When this happens, the one arm 17a of the actuation lever means 17 bears against the plunger or push button 19 of the spray can 1. The holder device which has thus been secured to the spray can 1 can be turned about the longitudinal central axis of such spray can until the nozzle means 20 of the depressable plunger 19 is directed towards both of the openings or recesses 10 and 15 of the inner and outer hood members 6 and 7, respectively. Hence, a spray jet emanating from the nozzle means 20 passes unobstructedly towards the outside through the openings 10 and 15 of the hood members 6 and 7, respectively.

Now, if the holder device is erroneously rotated or turned about the longitudinal central axis of the spray can 1 so as to assume a different position and if the actuation lever means 17 is actuated to bring about a spray, then the spray jet emanating from the nozzle means 20 will impinge against the inner wall of the inner hood member 6. When this happens the sprayed medium will be collected in the recess 5 of the spray can 1. Consequently, the spray jet can never discharge laterally or towards the user of the spray can.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show a variant form of inventive holder device which incorporates two inner hood members 6 and two outer hood members 7. Both of the outer hood members 7 and both of the inner hood members 6 are substantially parallely spaced from one another, as best seen by referring to FIGURE 5. A connecting web means 21 which operably interconnects both of the outer hood members 7 with one another is formed together with the handgrip or handle 8 of one piece of material. Consequently, there is thus provided a bifurcated handgrip 8' in which there is pivotably mounted a likewise bifurcated actuation lever means 17' for pivotable movement about the pivot pin 18 or similar expedient. Both of the oppositely directed ends 22 of the bifurcated actuation lever means 17' piercingly extend through the associated hood members 6, 7 and are disposed within both of the inner hood members 6, as shown, in order to actuate the respective depressible plunger means or push button means 19 of the two spray cans 2 and 3. It should be apparent that if the actuating lever means 17 is actuated then two spray jets 23 discharge towards the outside.

The holder device decipted in FIGURES 4 and 5 is particularly suitable for use, for example, for a dual component lacquer or otherwise, wherein a different type of lacquer is provided in each can 2 and 3. Commingling of both types of lacquers, therefore, first takes place upon application to the workpiece. In order that both of the spray jets 23 of the spray cans 2 and 3 intersect one another, these spray cans 2 and 3 are turned somewhat towards one another about their respective longitudinal central axis. To insure that the spray jets 23 which are inclined with respect to one another can move unobstructedly out of the openings 10 of the inner hood members 6, the later can advantageously be secured in the associated outer hood members 7 in a position somewhat turned towards the connecting web means 21.

Moreover, as a possible variant of the invention holder device it is contemplated to provide a holder which has more than two inner and outer hood members 6 and 7. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the holder device only incorporates one hood member, which is then either constructed such as the inner hood member 6 or as the outer hood member 7. Such a holder device is then, for instance, only secured by such a hood member 6 to the associated spray can. If the inner side wall of a single hood member 7 is provided at the region of its marginal end with an annular head, then the holder device can be secured to the spray can in that, this annular bead of the hood member 7 engages behind the collar or neck portion 4 of the spray can 1.

With the further embodiment of inventive holder device depicted in FIGURES 6 to 8 there are likewise provided two hood members 24 and 25. The outer hood member 25 and a handgrip or handle 26 are formed of a single piece of plastic material. For this purpose, polystyrene has proven to be particularly suitable as a plastic material. A lower annular bead 27 of the inner hood member 24 is constructed edge-like at its outer contour or surface, as generally indicated by reference numeral 27a. This inner hood member 24 which, of course, could come into contact with the discharging spray jet, must be formed of a resistant material. For this purpose a plastic material for instance, and sold under the mark Delrin" has proven to be extremely suitable.

Furthermore, a sleeve member 29 is secured in an opening 28 of the inner hood member 24, for instance by being adhesively bonded thereat. This sleeve member 29 can also, for instance, be formed of the plastic Delrin. Sleeve member 29 extends through the opening or slot of the outer hood member 25. Just as with the previous embodiments, here also the inner hood member 24 possesses a number of lengthwise slots or slits 12, so that the lower portion of such hood member 24 is able to resiliently or elastically alter its diameter.

However, the inner hood member 24 is secured to the outer hood member 25 in a different manner from that previously considered with the other embodiments. More precisely, this inner hood member 24 possesses at the upper end face 24a and substantially centrally thereof an inwardly widening hole 30 and at the outer edge groove or channel means 31. The inwardly widening hole 30 and the groove means 31 defining undercut portions. Hood member 24 is produced before the handgrip 26, then it is mounted in a pressure or injection mold, and during the manufacture of the handgrip 26 with the hood member 25 is molded in such. Consequently, the inner hood member 24 is secured in undetachable manner at the inside of the outer hood member 25, as clearly shown in FIG- URE 6'.

Internally of the handgrip 26 there is formed during its injection molding the mounting or support for an actuation lever means 32 for its attachment within the handgrip 26, and a mounting or support for an upper cover member 33. As best shown in FIGURE 7, upwardly open, flat box means 37 connect with two walls 36 which extend in the same direction with regard to the external sides 34 and 35 of the handgrip 26. Upwardly open slit means 38 extend through the walls 36 and the box means 37. These slits 38 serve for the mounting of the actuation lever means 32 by means of the latters two laterally depending or projecting journal pin means 39. Furthermore, slot means 40 are situated between the respective walls 36 and the outer wall of the respective box means 37. This actuation lever means 32 can likewise advantageously be formed of polystyrene. The journal pin means 39 and the actuation lever means 32 are formed of a single piece or member.

Further, the cover member 33 which may be likewise advantageously formed of polystyrene has been removed in the top plan view of FIGURE 7 in order to expose the internal structure. This cover member 33, is provided at its underface with two substantially parallel, vertical, downwardly extending flap means 41. When the cover member 33 is secured to the handgrip or handle 26 these flap means 41 extend into both of the slit or slot means 40 and almost bear upon the journal pin means 39. By means of these flap means 41 the actuation lever means 32 is pivotably retained in the longitudinal slot 38. The cover member 33 is inserted into a recess 42 of the handgrip 26 and fixed therein, for instance by adhesive.

The sleeve member 29 mounted at the inner hood memher 24 prevents a jet emanating out of the spray can from impinging upon the outer hood member 25 which, for instance, is formed of polystyrene, so that an aggressive or corrosive medium which is to be sprayed cannot damage the polystyrene. The sleeve member 29 which is formed of the non-sensitive plastic Delrin also narrows the spray cone, such as the spray cone 23 of FIGURE 5, of the medium which is to be sprayed.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder device for spray cans or the like, comprising, in combination:

a handgrip capable of being detachably connected to an upper neck portion of at least one spray can having a plunger;

at least one hood member fixedly connected to said handgrip, said hood member having a means defining a skirt portion and generally horizontal top wall;

said hood member also having a lower marginal portion provided with means for fixedly clamping said hood member to the upper neck portion of the spray can;

said skirt portion being provided with a discharge opening for the discharge of a spray jet of the contents of the spray can;

said discharge opening of said hood member being disposed at a side thereof which faces away from said handgrip;

actuation lever means movably mounted on said handgrip, said actuation lever means having a portion thereof which is surrounded and covered bysaid hood member, said portion of said actuation lever means being capable of bearing against said plunger of a spray can to cause discharge of the contents of the spray can.

2. A holder device for spray cans or the like as defined in claim 1, wherein a number of slots extend from said lower marginal portion of said hood member into said wall means thereof defining a jacket in order to enable elastic deformation of said lower marginal portion when said hood member is attached to the spray can.

3. A holder device for spray cans or the like, comprising, in combination: a handgrip capable of being detachably connected to an upper neck portion of at least one spray can having a plunger means, actuation lever means mounted at said handgrip and movable relative to the latter, said actuation lever means being capable of bearing against said plunger means of the spray can in order to operate said plunger means, at least one hood member having wall means defining a jacket, said wall means being provided with an opening for the discharge of a spray jet of the contents of the spray can, said hood member having a lower marginal portion provided with means for fixedly clamping said hood member to the neck portion of the spray can, said hood member being non-displaceably mounted at said handgrip, said discharge opening of said hood member being disposed at a side thereof which faces away from said handgrip, a further hood member, said two hood members coaxially interfitting and being radially spaced from one another to provide a respective outer and inner hood member, each of said outer and inner hood members being provided with a respective opening for the discharge of a spray jet of the contents of the spray can, said inner hood member serving to elastically clamp within a recess of the neck portion of the spray can, said outer hood member serving for the elastic clamping externally of the neck portion of said spray can.

4. A holder device for spray cans or the like as defined in claim 3, wherein said handgrip and said outer hood member are formed of a single piece of plastic material,

7 and said inner hood member is secured to said outer hood member.

5. A holder device for spray cans or the like as defined in claim 3, wherein both said inner and outer hood members each have respective wall means defining a respective jacket, each of said wall means being provided with a respective opening through which piercingly extends said actuation lever means, said wall means of each hood member being provided with a respective discharge opening for the spray jet, said openings for the actuation lever being situated approximately diametrically opposite said discharge openings for said spray jet.

6. A holder device for spray cans or the like, wherein there are provided comprising, in combination: a handgrip capable of being detachably connected 'to an upper neck portion of at least one spray can having a plunger means, actuation lever means mounted at said handgrip and movable relative to the latter, said actuation lever means being capable of bearing against said plunger means of the spray can in order to operate said plunger means, a number of hood members which are substantially parallely spaced from one another, each of said hood members having wall means defining a jacket, said wall means being provided with an opening for the discharge of a spray jet of the contents of the spray can, both said handgrip and said actuation lever means being constructed to each provide a bifurcated portion, said bifurcated portion of said actuation lever means being disposed within said hood members, said hood member having a lower marginal portion provided with means for fixedly clamping said hood member to the neck portion of the spray can, said hood member being non-displaceably mounted at said handgrip, said discharge opening of said hood member being disposed at a side thereof which faces away from said handgrip.

7. A holder device for spray cans or the like as defined in claim 3, including a further pair of inner and outer hood members coaxially interfitting and radially spaced from one another, said outer hood members of each pair of interfitting hood members being substantially parallely spaced from one another and said inner hood members of each pair also being parallely spaced from one another, said actuation lever means including a bifurcated portion providing two oppositely directed ends, one respective end of said bifurcated portion extending within one of the inner hood members of one pair and the other respective end of said bifurcated portion extending within the inner hood member of the other pair, connecting web means for operably interconnecting said outer hood members with one another, said outer hood members, said connecting web means and said handgrip being formed from one piece of plastic material.

8. A holder device for spray cans or the like as defined in claim 3, wherein a radially, outwardly projecting sleeve member is arranged at said discharge opening of said inner hood member.

9. A holder device for spray cans or the like as defined in claim 3, wherein said inner hood member is provided with undercut portions and molded in said outer hood member.

10. A holder device for spray cans or the like, comprising, in combination: a handgrip capable of being detachably connected to an upper'neck portion of at least one spray can having a plunger means, actuation lever means mounted at said handgrip and movable relative to the latter, said actuation lever means being capable of bearing against said plunger means of the spray can in order to operate said plunger means; at least one hood member having wall means defining a jacket, said wall means being provided with an opening for the discharge of a spray jet of the contents of the spray can; said hood member having a lower marginal portion provided with means for fixedly clamping said hood member to the neck portion of the spray can; said hood member being non-displaceably mounted at said handgrip, said discharge opening of said hood member being disposed at a side thereof which faces away from said handgrip; said handgrip being provided with closea-ble slit means, said actuation lever rneans incorporating at least one projectnig journal pin means mounted in said closeable slit means, a cover member for said handgrip, said cover member being provided with at least one flap means for the fixation of said journal pin means in said closable slit means, said cover member being fixedly connectable to said handgrip.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,172,582 3/1965 Belpedio 222-473 3,045,878 7/1962 Blanford et al. t 222-473 3,112,849 12/1963 Wallace 222-323 3,138,331 6/1964 Kutik 222-402.13 X 3,178,077' 4/1965 Benedetto ZZZ-402.13 3,303,970 2/1967 Breslau et a1 239-304 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner F; R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

